Commenting on the recent student disturbances here over transferance of insignia from the German University, the Selbstwehr, Jewish publication, comes to the following conclusions as to the unexpectedly anti – Semitic character they took:
1.—The work of the gutter press of the city has proved effective.
2.—Confirmation of an old realization that Praha is highly anti-Semitic.
3.—That in this country also a party that wants to win elections cannot do without anti-Semitism.
“Why,” the publication asks, “is Praha so anti-Semitic? We are often told that it is because the Jews excite the population by their tactlessness in the language they use, or their assertive behavior.”
OBVIOUS PRETEXTS
Conceding that there are individual Jews who are guilty of being tactless and assertive, the Selbstwehr concludes that such obvious pretexts for anti-Semitism are unnecessary.
“There is no question,” it declares, “but that anti-Semitism is not at a loss for motives and in the same way as it exploits the language, it can exploit race or looks, or social activity as its pretext, since after all, the very existence of the Jews is sufficient motive for hostility.”
JEWS ‘MILES AWAY’
The article points out that in the insignia disturbances, the Jews “were miles away from the problem.”
“There were no Jews among those students who protested against transfer of the insignia,” it declares. “On the contrary, it is certain that the German Nationalist students were anti-Semites. Nevertheless, the demonstration against the German students soon assumed an anti-Semitic character, as all the newspapers made clear. The cries of the demonstrating mob were mostly directed against the Jews. They marched against the Beth Haam and did much damage in the Cafe Manes, because it was frequented by Jewish customers.
“Very soon, student demonstrations followed in Vienna, to express sympathy with the German students in Praha. And how did they do that? By abusing the Jews.”
The publication expresses appreciation for the condemnation of the disturbances by intellectuals and the vigorous action taken by the police in quelling the rioters before any serious damage was done.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
